“Watch your tongue before I remove it,” I warned.
Kaskian’s eyes widened. Realizing I was dead serious, he backed off. “Whatever. I’m out of here.”
I wanted to force him to apologize, but I knew it wasn’t worth it. Let the door hit his ass on the way out.
After Kaskian slammed the door, I sighed. Jade was definitely going to chew me out for my behavior. But the alternative—standing back and letting Rorik get hurt—simply wasn’t acceptable.
“Sorry about that,” I said, turning around to face Rorik. “I didn’t think he’d—”
Rorik’s face was suddenly an inch from mine.
“Why did you do that?” he snarled.
It was the closest he’d ever been. Close enough to kiss. Close enough to smell the sweetness of his breath past the copper tang of blood.
I didn’t move.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
He panted hard, clutching at his chest as if it ached. “It wasmyfight. Why did you put yourself at risk?”
My brow furrowed. “Rorik. I wasn’t going to let that guy hurt you again.”
“It was his right.”
“He could’ve killed you!”
Rorik scoffed. “I doubt it. I’m the strongest fighter in my clan. I’m the only one strong enough to—”
He halted suddenly, as if silenced by a higher being. His dark eyes wavered with something that looked like desperation. He glanced at Poppy for a long beat.
“Strong enough to what?” I prompted.
Rorik struggled to catch his breath. His broad chest rose and fell rapidly, and he gripped his shirt tighter.
“Nothing,” he muttered. “It’s too hot in here…”
The room was air conditioned. Was he okay? I was seriously worried now.
“Rorik, are you—”
I couldn’t finish my question. Rorik flew off the cot, stumbling past me. He bolted out the door like his life depended on it.
My instinct was to tail him. I needed to get to the bottom of his mystery issues. But when I saw Poppy’s horrified expression, it struck me. He seemed genuinely afraid.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” I asked the frail wolf omega.
Poppy sank to the floor, hugging his knees to his chest. “Yes,” he whispered, clearly not okay at all.
Frustration clawed at me. “Can one of you tell me what’s going on?” I demanded.
When Poppy winced, I immediately regretted raising my voice.
I kneeled in front of him. “Sorry, Poppy. Please, I just want to know how to get through to Rorik.”
Poppy lifted terrified brown eyes. “You can’t.”
His despondent aura filled me with dread—but my defiant inner fire burned brighter than that. Dragons didn’t like being told ‘no’.
